2 Corinthians 12.15
The world away from me is vast.
I would despair and stand aghast
Were it not for the Lord who said
We must not fear nor feel its dread,
For he is with us to the end.
Oh, God, may I be spent and spend.
I can’t keep doing this
O God, I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep this up.
I’m tired and frustrated and ready to call it quits.
Temptation continually barks at my heels.
Dangers lurk around every corner.
Many don’t care, and others want to stone me.
I’m looking for that rock to hide under.
When will it all end?
My son, I can keep you and hold you and propel you forward.
I am energized for every demand, powerful for the need.
My word puts the devil on the run.
I am your tower and refuge and solid rock.
I care, I love you, and continue to call you to me.
I will stand you up in the midst of the people.
The end will be your success and not your failure.
Loudly I Cried to God
Based loosely on Psalm 77
Loudly I cried to God — loudly —
So he would open his ears to me.
I went to the Lord for help on the day
Of troubles, upset, unable to speak.
What happened in the days of old?
The long-ago years when God was merciful?
Has God forgotten his tender mercies?
Is the Lord no longer the same as before?
O God, your ways are holy! Who
Is great as our true, faithful God?
The water saw you, O God, and shook,
Your arrows flashed in every direction.
Your road passed through the sea, your people
Walked to safety, you led your children
Away from Egypt — As you saved them,
O Lord, come take me by the hand.
For those in grief and despair
For those who reel from deepest grief,
Who cannot see the budding leaf,
For those consumed by sharp despair,
For these we make our daily prayer.